Learning and Teaching

Abstract

Learning can be defined as a ‘relatively persistent change in an individual’s possible behaviour due to experience’. It is thus clearly distinguished from those changes in behaviour which come about as a consequence of maturation (i.e. as a consequence of the individual’s physical growth and development). Learning can take place either as a result of informal circumstances (e.g. parent-child relationships, interaction with friends and with the mass media), or as a result of the formal efforts of society to educate its members through schools and academic institutions. Though both are important our main concern is with the latter: that is, with the ways in which the teacher or the tutor can best monitor and assist learning within the class or lecture room.

Annotated reading

Bigge, L. (1976) Learning Theories for Teachers (3rd edn). New York: Harper & Row. One of the best and most comprehensive surveys of learning theories and their application to teaching.Google Scholar

Hintzman, L. (1978) The Psychology of Learning and Memory. San Francisco: Freeman. A good choice for those who want to take their study of learning theories rather further, and examine their relationship to memory.Google Scholar

Marjoribanks, K. (1979) Families and Their Learning Environments. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. A thorough and scholarly survey of the research into the relationship between intelligence, personality, family variables and learning.Google Scholar

Fontana, D. (1977) Personality and Education. London: Open Books. A more general discussion, with an examination of the implications for the teacher.Google Scholar

Mace, C.A. (1968) The Psychology of Study (rev. edn). London: MacDonald. Both of these are among the good books currently available on study habits, and are highly recommended.Google Scholar

Gronlund, N.E. (1978). Stating Objectives of Classroom Instruction (2nd edn). London: Collier Macmillan. One of the best short books on the writing of educational objectives. It also has something useful to say on the construction of objective tests.Google Scholar

Vernon, P.E. (1964) An Introduction to Objective-type Examinations. London: Schools Council Examinations Bulletin No. 4. One of the most valuable short introductions to the subject.Google Scholar